>Actually, I view the "< g >" as the on-line equivalent of the grin you'd see if we were talking face-to-face or hear if we were on the phone. That's because I see this kind of discussion as the equivalent of a conversation. Viewed that way, it makes sense to use it.

If only life were that simple. I know quite a few people who grin when they are being offensive. Similarly, I have seen many intentionally offensive remarks followed by "smiley faces", where the "smiley face" was there to underscore the offence.